2008 Minnesota Basketball Predictions & Season Preview
Written October 14, 2008 by Jack Jones
Minnesota was 20-14 and 8-10 in the Big Ten in Tubby Smith’s first season at the helm of the Golden Gophers. Minnesota’s top three scorers from last season are gone, but Smith brought in a talented recruiting class, which could make this Gopher team better than last seasons. As many as three of the Gopher recruits could be immediate starters, plus they return several key players, so there is reason for optimism in the Twin Cities. Minnesota’s lack of depth and experience on the frontline could make a trip to the NCAA tournament difficult, but Tubby Smith expects to be competitive in every game this season. The Gophers are +10000 odds at BetUS to win the NCAA Championship this season, and with the level of talent on this team and Tubby Smith at the helm, this is a team to watch the college basketball odds on every game.
Ralph Sampson III and Colton Iverson should both get immediate playing time in the front court in their first year at Minnesota. Sampson is the biggest name in this recruiting class, and he is extremely athletic and has improved over the past year. Iverson is physically stronger than Sampson and willing to bang inside, but he isn’t as skilled or athletic as Sampson. Joe Williams is the only true returning big man, but he has never put everything together even though he is a 5th year senior. He is a decent rebounder, but not a scoring threat at all. The Gophers lack depth on the frontline, so at least one and maybe two Gophers will have to spend time playing out of position. Neither Damian Johnson nor incoming recruit Paul Carter has the strength or size to be an effective power forward, but both will have to spend some minutes in that spot.
Al Nolen, the Gophers’ point guard, needs to be more offensive and not just a caretaker of the ball. Nolen needs to be more aggressive in attacking the basket and getting to the free throw line. Nolen will lead a Gopher backcourt that has both options and depth. In Smith’s offense the small forward and shooting guard position are somewhat interchangeable. Lawrence Westbrook is the team’s leading returning scorer and will see some time as a backup point guard, but should also be a starter next to Nolen. Westbrook is very strong going to the basket and isn’t afraid of contact. Devron Bostick should be starting on the wing. Bostick was the JuCo Player of the Year last season and the Gophers need him to be an immediate impact player on offense. Devoe Joseph is another newcomer who should have an immediate impact. Joseph is a freshman who will see minutes at both guard spots. Sophomore Blake Hoffarber is a solid 3-point shooter that can provide instant offense for the Gophers. Over 70% of Hoffarber’s field goals as a freshman came from behind the 3-point arc.
Final Analysis
Despite losing their top three scorers from last season, Minnesota is an improved team. A tougher non-conference schedule and youth and inexperience could lead to a similar record from last season. The Gophers are once again relevant in college basketball thanks to Tubby Smith, but this team may be a year away from moving to the top of the pack in the Big Ten. We have them finishing in the middle of the pack in the conference. At BetUS, the Gophers are +1500 odds of winning the Big Ten Conference. The NCAA tournament could be just out of reach for the Gophers, but fully expect them to make an appearance, and maybe some noise, in the NIT Tournament this March.
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